UK-Israel relations deteriorate sharply after Britain sanctions Israeli West Bank settlements

Relations between the UK and Israel have seen a sharp deterioration following the British Government’s plan to sanction Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Foreign Secretary Ed Milliband says the prospect of a Palestinian state alongside Israel is "being destroyed by the facts on the ground".

He has also rejected the UK's Chief Rabbi's claim that British sanctions could lead to increased antisemitism for Jewish people in the UK.

Israel has been accused of escalating an expansion of illegal settlements in the West bank in recent months.  UN bodies and eleven countries, including Britain, consider the settlements illegal under International law and are set to impose sanctions, while Israel argues the region is disputed and Jews have a historical right to the land.

Israel’s security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has said it’s time for Israel to publically recognise the Falklands are Argentine territory. He called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to recognise Argentina’s claim over the Falkland Islands and impose santions on Great Britain as long as the ‘occupation’ continues.

Meanwhile,  Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar has said Israel is closing Britain's consulate in East Jerusalem as one of four counter-measures against the UK. He told a press conference "The British move is morally distorted, and constitutes blatant interference in the affairs of a sovereign state and its electoral process.”

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has also called on the government to expel the British Ambassador.

Eleven MPs, including Jeremy Corbyn and Diane Abbott are to be banned from entering the country.